IAEA-CN-142/49
The Evolution of the Role of thePhilippine Nuclear Research Institute in the National Nuclear and Radiation Safety Regime
Alumanda M. Dela Rosa
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman
Quezon City, Philippines
Abstract. The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), formerly the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) was created by law in 1958 with a dual mandate namely, to promote the peaceful applications of nuclear energy, and to regulate the safe utilization of nuclear energy. Through its almost 50 years of existence, the PNRI has assumed different roles and functions. As the premier national nuclear research institution the PNRI initiates R & D work in various applications, establishes nuclear and radiation facilities, and undertakes human resource development not only for its staff but also for the prospective users of nuclear energy. At the same time, the PNRI exercises regulatory control over radioactive materials in the country including the regulatory control over the construction of the first Philippine nuclear power plant in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Presently, the PNRI still exercises the dual mandate of promoting and regulating the peaceful and safe use of radioactive materials. In these evolving roles of the Institute, both management and the staff are committed to excellence in nuclear science and to nuclear safety. Initiatives are underway to create a separate nuclear regulatory body from the developmental agency to enable the country to conformwith international safety standards and to prepare for the future re-introduction of nuclear power in the Philippine energy mix. A strong regulatory agency and an equally strong technical and scientific support organization are necessary for a successful and safe nuclear energy program.
- Introduction
The former Philippine Atomic Energy Commission, presently the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute was created by law in 1958 to promote the peaceful applications of nuclear energy. In the same breadth, it is also mandated to regulate the safe utilization of nuclear energy in order to ensure public safety and environmental protection. In the first decade of its formative years, the PAEC undertook human resource development of its staff as well as the prospective users of radioactive materials in the country by conducting local nuclear training courses and sending scientists for graduate studies with the assistance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The PAEC established the first nuclear research reactor, PRR-1, and other research facilities, and initiated R & D work in various fields of application of nuclear energy. The PAEC offered the PRR-1 as the host reactor for the training of nuclear physicists and engineers in the Asian region under the India-Philippines-Agency (IPA) Project. It undertook the first site selection studies for a nuclear power plant with the assistance of the IAEA. The PAEC became the National Competent Authority on nuclear matters and the premier national nuclear research institution.
In the mid-70’s the PAEC assumed a different role vis-à-vis the nuclear power program. It exercised regulatory control over the construction of the first Philippine Nuclear Power Plant. To undertake this awesome task, the PAEC drew the needed expertise from its own scientists on the nuclear area, and the academe and private consultancy companies on the non-nuclear areas in order to evaluate the safety documents submitted by the operator. It offered the facilities of its NuclearTrainingCenter for the training of the staff of the operator on the basic concepts of nuclear energy prior to their deployment for further training abroad. All these activities came to naught when the country witnessed the mothballing of the Bataan nuclear power plant in 1986. The PAEC was reorganized into the present PNRI which retains the dual mandate of promoting and regulating the peaceful application of nuclear energy.
- Present Scenario
With the mothballing of the nuclear power program, the PNRI concentrated its regulatory function on the regulation of radioactive materials and honed its expertise in this area including radiation protection, emergency preparedness and response, and security aspects. The promotional departments of the PNRI have continued with R & D on various areas of nuclear applications, and have enhanced their nuclear services including radiation protection services and the conduct of nuclear training courses. In some instances, these departments assist the regulatory arm of the PNRI in generating data related to radiation safety.
Since the law exempts the facilities of the PNRI from regulatory control, the PNRI instituted an internal regulatory program for its radiation facilities and radioactive materials in its possession. The promotional departments referred to as users are under the supervision of a Radiation Safety and Security Board which submits to the regulatory department of PNRI applications for a permit to use radioactive materials in PNRI. The regulatory department evaluates such application and conducts a site survey if necessary, and issues the permit when all requirements are met by the user. This program hopes to enhance radiation safety in the use of radioactive materials within the PNRI, and strengthens safety culture among PNRI scientists.
Preservation of nuclear knowledge particularly on nuclear engineering and fields related to nuclear power is a major concern of the Institute. In view of the lack of government policy on nuclear powerfor the past 20 years and with the retirement of trained staff, the PNRI has not been able to sustain its knowledge base on nuclear power, and the academe also stopped its graduate program in nuclear engineering. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that young engineers are discouraged to pursue a program in nuclear engineering. This situation, if not addressed, will have a significant impact on future nuclear power program in the country.
- Evolving nuclear infrastructure in the Philippines
A draft Nuclear Regulatory Act has been prepared for submission to the Philippine Legislature. It provides for the creation of a separate nuclear regulatory body to have regulatory control over radioactive materials and electronic devices emitting radiation. The present PNRI will remain as the national nuclear research institution to promote the peaceful applications of nuclear energy. It has the expertise and facilities to serve as a technical and scientific support organization (TSO) in enhancing nuclear and radiation safety. A clear delineation of the roles and functions of the two independent nuclear agencies will benefit in strengthening the national nuclear program. The new regulatory body will have the independence to implement its nuclear regulations and can tap the expertise of the TSO in matters relating to nuclear and radiation safety. The PNRI will no longer be constrained in fully promoting the benefits of nuclear energy, and can develop itself into a TSO.
Recruitment of additional manpower and human resource development would be a priority program for the new regulatory body and for PNRI. Inasmuch as the government is seriously assessing the possibility of including the nuclear option in its energy plan by 2018,the most important component of the nuclear power program that should be considered by the government is the availability of human resources and the trainingof the staff of the PNRI, the new regulatory body, the prospective operator, and the academe. The government is now addressing this concern.
The creation of a separate and independent nuclear regulatory body is another requirement that the government must address before it embarks on a new nuclear power program.